Global Issues, Local Responses Book Club

Michael Shaikh is a writer and human rights investigator who has worked for twenty years in areas marred by political crisis and armed conflict. He has worked at Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group, the Center for Civilians in Conflict, the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the New York City Mayor’s Office. Michael is on the board of Adi Magazine. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, he lives in New York City. READ MORE…

Laurell Sims (she/her) is a food systems strategist with a two-decade commitment to empowering communities through dynamic educational and job training initiatives rooted in urban agriculture. Currently, as the Executive Director of Evanston Grows, she continues her dedication to cultivating vibrant and healthy neighborhoods. Previously, Laurell co-founded and served as the Chief Executive Officer of Urban Growers Collective (UGC). Prior to UGC, she worked with Growing Power Chicago and Victory Program's ReVision House Urban Farm in Dorchester, MA. A 2023-2024 Castanea Fellow, Laurell has completed fellowships with the James Beard Women in Entrepreneurial Leadership Program and Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business. She also participated in the Bold Food Fellowship, collaborating with farmers from Uganda and Kenya through a State Department exchange to enhance urban farming programs. Since then, Laurell has led projects at urban farms in Port-au-Prince's Cité Soleil District in Haiti and across the United States.